I see very few CAs / ICWAs or semi-qualifieds opt for a career in SAP/Oracle consulting. Most of the functional consultants' positions in SAP/Orace are occupied by ordinary Bcoms/Mcoms/MBAs.
Most of the fresh CA's, who have managed to clear the exam. in 1-2 attempts, get good offer from big corporates in campus or subsequently. Some of the multiple attempts CAs manage to get into industries through job portals or through personal networking. Rest of the candidates start their own practice or join some established CA firms.
I feel that SAP consulting is a great career option for the fresh CAs / semi-qualified, who don't have excellent academic record viz-a-viz a carrer in practice or in industries. In ERP field finance professionals work as functional consultants for the Financial Accounting & Manegerial Accounting (FICO) modules. It involves studying the client's business processes and customising the ERP package accordingly.
Most of the SAP consulting companies are based at Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune and Gurgaon. Some good employers in SAP consulting (e.g.TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, Satyam, L&T, Capgemni etc.) prefer fresh CAs and hire them through regular walk-ins at these ciities. They tain the fresh candidates and may ask the candidate for entering into a 1-2 years bond. The starting salaries may be3 Lacs - 6 Lacs. The candidates with industial (called domain) experience are offered 25%-50% more. After 2-3 years of experience in this field you can expect offers between8 - 12 Lacs with-in India or more for off-shore positions.
If you have undergone the official SAP course (instructor led or eLearning) and managed to clear the SAP certification exam., then the chances of getting good offers are increased. The fees of these courses are3.50L / 2.10L. Check with ICAI for the special discount offer for the CAs & students. Easy finance form some banks is also available for these courses.
Some candidates take unofficial courses offered at Hyderabad and try to get into this field by showing some fake experiences.These kind of candidates initially join some body shopper (the co. which provides candidates to big cos. on contract basis) and after 2-3 years of exprience they manage to enter into any reputed cos. Most of the non-professionals have made ERP career through this route.
The life in SAP consulting is more comfortable in comparision to working in industies or CA firms. Most of the employers have 5 days week. Since most of the implementations projects are outside India, you'll get many chances of getting off-shore projects and can save some good money apart from visiting many foreign locations.
No doubt there are some negative points also. There are frequnet changes in your locations depending on the projects. The health of this business depends on US & European economies. All depends on your outlook and choice.
With best wishes for a rewading career.
CAclubindia
